The most recent large recall was that of [[California]] Governor [[Gray Davis]] in 2003, leading to a special election on October 7, 2003 whereby [[California Governor - Arnold Schwarzenegger|Arnold Schwarzenegger]] was elected to replace him. Davis was only the second [[Governor]] in US history to be recalled.

Shortly after taking office in 2011, [[Republican]] Governor [[Scott Walker]] of [[Wisconsin]] proposed legislation (Wisconsin Act 10, known as the "Scott Walker Budget Repair Bill") that restricted public workers' collective bargaining abilities.<ref name=walkerelected>[http://www.todaystmj4.com/news/local/112495344.html ''TMJ4'', "Walker Works Last Day as County Executive", December 27, 2010]</ref> The proposal sparked massive protests statewide, most notably in downtown Madison, as unionized workers gathered to resist the measure.<ref name=walker/>

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The bill's opponents targeted Walker for recall, successfully forcing him to face a recall election on June 5, 2012.<ref name=walkerrecall>[http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2012/03/15/Recall-election-schedule-set-in-Wisconsin/UPI-32421331789711/ ''UPI.com'', "Recall election schedule set in Wisconsin," March 15, 2012]</ref> He ran against Democrat [[Tom Barrett]], whom he had previously faced in the general election, and defeated him 53% to 46%. He became the first governor to survive a recall.<ref name=walker/>

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The legislation also triggered several recalls of State Senators. See below for a list of other Wisconsin officials recalled in the 2012 conflict.<ref name=walker/>

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====California, 2003====

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The most recent successful recall was that of [[Democratic]] Governor [[Gray Davis]] of [[California]] in 2003.<ref name=davis/>

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Davis, first elected in 1998, enjoyed popularity for much of his first term, maintaining a 58% approval rating and 12% disapproval rating.<ref>[http://www.sfgate.com/politics/article/Voters-Well-Pleased-With-Governor-s-First-100-2940969.php ''San Francisco Chronicle'', "Voters Well Pleased With Governor's First 100 Days, Poll Finds / 5-to-1 approval rating puts Davis on solid footing out of the gate," March 19, 1999]</ref> Then in May 2001, in the midst of the California electricity crisis, his numbers began slipping—only to be further aggravated by his middle-of-the-road approach to politics, such that by October 2003 his approval rating was only 27%.<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/2003/ALLPOLITICS/10/07/recall.exit/ ''CNN.com'', "Women supported Schwarzenegger, exit polls show," October 8, 2003]</ref>

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Davis was defeated by [[California Governor - Arnold Schwarzenegger|Arnold Schwarzenegger]] in the special election held on October 7, 2003.<ref name=davis/> He said in his concession speech,

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{{quote|We've had a lot of good nights over the last 20 years, but tonight the people did decide it is time for someone else to serve, and I accept their judgment.<ref name=davis/>}}

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====North Dakota, 1921====

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Though a popular governor throughout his first two terms (spanning 1917 to 1920), [[Republican]] (Nonpartisan League) Governor Lynn Frazier met political dissonance upon his third election. Economic trouble in [[North Dakota]] following poor farming seasons and World War I led to conflict between political forces, especially in light of the newly established Industrial Commission, put in place to oversee state-owned industries.<ref name=frazierbio/>

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The state constitution had recently been amended to provide for the recall of public officials, and was immediately used to recall Frazier and the other officials that comprised the Industrial Commission.<ref name=frazierbio>[http://www.history.nd.gov/exhibits/governors/governors12.html ''The State Historical Society of North Dakota'', Exhibits - North Dakota Governors - Lynn J. Frazier]</ref>

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===Other recalls===

Recall experts [[Orville Seymer]] and [[Chris Kliesmet]] of [[Citizens for Responsible Government]] have recalled a number of local officials in eastern [[Wisconsin]].

Recall experts [[Orville Seymer]] and [[Chris Kliesmet]] of [[Citizens for Responsible Government]] have recalled a number of local officials in eastern [[Wisconsin]].

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A group website www.RecallGranholm.com formed in the spring of 2007 following her re-election and promises to raise taxes, although it is unknown how serious the group is.

A group website www.RecallGranholm.com formed in the spring of 2007 following her re-election and promises to raise taxes, although it is unknown how serious the group is.

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A recall proceeding is underway in Washington State in regard to Thurston County Commissioners Wolfe, Valenzuela and Romero, for alleged illegal expenditures of public funds to a private "Shadow Government" agency, the Washington State Association of Counties.

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A recall proceeding is underway in Washington State in regard to Thurston County Commissioners Wolfe, Valenzuela and Romero, for alleged illegal expenditures of public funds to a private "Shadow Government" agency, the Washington State Association of Counties.

Contents

Recall is a process available in most jurisdictions whereby an elected official can be removed from office either for malfeasance or in some jurisdictions for any action the recall language specifies. For recalls, most state laws have set the highest signature threshold for any type of petition - most often requiring 25% of all registered voters or 25% of voters in the last election for the recalled office to sign a recall petition.

Notable recalls

Gubernatorial recalls

Only three United States governors have faced recall elections. Two of them (Lynn Frazier, 1921 and Gray Davis, 2003) were consequently removed from office while the other (Scott Walker, 2012) retained his seat.[1][2][3]

The bill's opponents targeted Walker for recall, successfully forcing him to face a recall election on June 5, 2012.[5] He ran against Democrat Tom Barrett, whom he had previously faced in the general election, and defeated him 53% to 46%. He became the first governor to survive a recall.[3]

The legislation also triggered several recalls of State Senators. See below for a list of other Wisconsin officials recalled in the 2012 conflict.[3]

California, 2003

Davis, first elected in 1998, enjoyed popularity for much of his first term, maintaining a 58% approval rating and 12% disapproval rating.[6] Then in May 2001, in the midst of the California electricity crisis, his numbers began slipping—only to be further aggravated by his middle-of-the-road approach to politics, such that by October 2003 his approval rating was only 27%.[7]

Davis was defeated by Arnold Schwarzenegger in the special election held on October 7, 2003.[2] He said in his concession speech,

“

We've had a lot of good nights over the last 20 years, but tonight the people did decide it is time for someone else to serve, and I accept their judgment.[2][8]

”

North Dakota, 1921

Though a popular governor throughout his first two terms (spanning 1917 to 1920), Republican (Nonpartisan League) Governor Lynn Frazier met political dissonance upon his third election. Economic trouble in North Dakota following poor farming seasons and World War I led to conflict between political forces, especially in light of the newly established Industrial Commission, put in place to oversee state-owned industries.[9]

The state constitution had recently been amended to provide for the recall of public officials, and was immediately used to recall Frazier and the other officials that comprised the Industrial Commission.[9]

Other recalls

In 1983, two Democratic State Senators were recalled in Michigan shortly following the election of Governor James Blanchard, who upon taking office earlier that year promised to raise taxes. The State Senator switched hands into Republican control, and no tax increase occurred.

In Michigan, Leon Drolet, former Michigan State Representative (2001 - 2007) and Macomb County Commissioner (2007 - ?), formed a group called the Michigan Taxpayers Alliance which has referred to Michigan's 1983 history with a button "Recall 1983." Drolet has threatened to recall any legislator who votes yes on tax increases in Michigan and has received considerable media attention as a result. Drolet is also known for co-chairing the Michigan Civil Rights Amendment, Proposal 2 (2006) (MCRI) Committee, which successfully passed Michigan's Proposal 2 of 2006, ending race and gender-based types of affirmative action in government hiring, education, and contracting.

A group website www.RecallGranholm.com formed in the spring of 2007 following her re-election and promises to raise taxes, although it is unknown how serious the group is.

A recall proceeding is underway in Washington State in regard to Thurston County Commissioners Wolfe, Valenzuela and Romero, for alleged illegal expenditures of public funds to a private "Shadow Government" agency, the Washington State Association of Counties.